Maya Angelou passed away this week at the age of 86. She inspired so many with her searing prose and relentless spirit. ABC's Susan saulny looks back. Reporter: An American original. ? I will go ? ? I shall go ? ? I'll see what the end is going to be ? Reporter: A teacher. A poet. Give birth again to the dream. Women, children, men, take it into the palms of your hands. Reporter: The true phenomenal woman inspired as she told us in our last interview with ABC news by her mother. She's still very much with me. I have a photograph of her in my bathroom. On the mirror. Each morning I go there to brush my teeth, I see her smiling and approving of me. Reporter: She told us how she managed to find hope even in one of her darkest moments. You were out with a boyfriend and he turned on you, he kicked and punched. And you were almost dead. Yes. He beat me. Reporter: How did you find the strength to overcome those sort of things? Forgiveness is the greatest gift that you can give yourself. It's not for the other person. You must forgive, it's for your own sake. To rid yourself of that weight. Reporter: Angelou led an astonishing life, stunning in its scope, from journalist to civil rights activist. Author to actress and more. Some of us are surprised to know that you were a calypso singer. A very famous one. Reporter: Yes. Can you give us a handful of one of your favorite songs? Yes. ? ? from behind the door ? ? ? Oh, what a treat. I haven't sung that song for 200 years. Good lord. Reporter: But you hit every note. It's still inside? It's there. Nothing is lost. Reporter: And for that, we are so thankful. For "This week," Susan saulny, ABC news, Washington. That was a treat and Maya Angelou a giant. And now, we honor our fellow Americans who serve and sacrifice. This week, the Pentagon released the name of one soldier killed in Afghanistan. One soldier killed in Afghanistan. And that is all for us today. Thanks for sharing part of your Sunday with us. Check out "World news" with David Muir tonight and I'll see you tomorrow on "Good morning America." You tomorrow on "Good morning

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